Was The Players Championship of 2011 the defining moment in Tiger Woods’ career? Woods exited after just nine holes on the first day, claiming ongoing leg injuries. Or is Woods just a shadow of his former self, ever since his serial infidelities became public in November 2009?
It cost him his marriage, $110 million in the divorce settlement, plus $20,000 a month in child support for Sam and Charlie.
Even more costly, losing major sponsorships and endorsements, from telecommunications giant AT&T, Gatorade, Accenture, and watchmaker Tag Heuer, collectively running into multi-millions. And he lost his standing on the world stage, which is priceless.
Woods isn’t being fawned over anymore. And he can’t hack the lack of idolatry.
So to cover for his current lost form, he’s hiding behind swing changes and leg problems. He never made excuses before.
Turn the clock back to that epic US Open play-off in 2008 with Rocco Mediate. Woods virtually played on one leg in intense pain for those 19 holes. Immediately after the win, Woods had anterior cruciate ligament surgery and missed the rest of the year.
He had bottle then, but the same bottle seems to buried in the cupboard now.
When he downed tools at The Players, Woods was six over for those nine holes – with a triple, and three bogeys – and he walked off the Sawgrass course.
Let’s see how long he takes to get back on tour now his aura is gone and the negatives gather momentum.
After a record 623 weeks as world number one, Woods is now ranked eighth behind Lee Westwood, Luke Donald, Martin Kaymer, Phil Mickelson, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy, and Steve Stricker – heading in the wrong direction.
Woods hasn’t won a major since that 2008 US Open, 14 majors ago. Nor has he won a tournament of any description since the 2009 Australian Masters, immediately before his life hit the fan.
That was 19 months ago.
And there’s been a surge in his opponents’ confidence. No more do they tee up on a Thursday believing they were playing for second prizemoney, at best.
There’s been a 180. They know Woods is vulnerable every time he turns up.
Add all those factors and Tiger Woods, with 14 majors and runner-up six times, has next to no chance of catching Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 majors and 19 times runner-up.
That would be poetic justice, as Nicklaus is the greatest golfer of all-time in my book. With no baggage.
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